Early Allergy Season Meets Late Flu Season

(Memphis) While Mid-Southerners are enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, it is bringing with it an early start to the spring allergy season.

“I was hoping it was going to rain today just to give allergy sufferers a break,” laughed Bernadette VanWormer.

VanWormer is already taking spring allergy medication to avoid congestion, and she’s way ahead of usual.

“I would say I’m 60 days ahead of my normal, and really, with the winter being as mild as it was, I never really got off my Allegra D from last fall,” VanWormer said.

Coupled with the early allergy season is a late flu season. Doctors say it’s keeping them busy.

“We did not see flu in the winter, the true winter, at all. Then, in the last few weeks, I had more positive flu tests than I did in November, December and early January. That’s been a surprise,” said Dr. Susan Besser.

Besser added that her patients are coming in surprised that they’re sick.

“People are used to allergies, but not so early in the season. So I think they’re a little shocked and not really expecting it,” she said. “No matter what you have you’re going to have to suffer a little bit.”

Doctors say the flu, which is usually accompanied by a fever and muscle aches, should be treated by a professional. Allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medications, but doctors warn your body may not feel the effect of the pills for close to a week.

They say the flu should taper off in the next few weeks, but that allergies will be here for months.